USA > California > Los Angeles County > Los Angeles > Historical and biographical record of Los Angeles and vicinity : containing a history of the city from its earliest settlement as a Spanish pueblo to the closing year of the nineteenth century ; also containing biographies of well known citizens of the past and present > Part 125
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a sound financial basis as a leading bank of Southern California. Since 1886 he has been a member of the Pasadena public library board, of which he is now the president, and his active en- couragement has done much for the upbuilding of the library.
Mr. Washburn was born at Reading Centre, Schuyler county, N. Y., June 28, 1830, a son of Daniel and Temperance (Gustin) Washburn, natives respectively of Vermont and New York. His father was a farmer in what is now Schuyler county, and Sherman grew to manhood there. His education was such as the district schools of the neighborhood afforded, but was afterward supplemented by a practical business experience. When twenty-four years of age he left New York and settled in Rockford, Il1. At the time of the gold excitement in Colorado he made his first trip west, but did not stop at the Rocky moun- tains. It was in 1860, and he crossed the plains with three companions in a wagon, with a camp- ing outfit and four mules. They traveled through Iowa, Nebraska, Utah and Nevada, and first located at Carson City, where he spent two years in the lumbering business. At the expiration of that time he returned to Illinois with four com- panions, riding on horseback and spending seventy-six days on the road. On his return to Rockford he was engaged in business for a short time, but soon settled in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he carried on a grocery for ten years.
been Susan Jackson, of Schuyler county, N. Y., and his second, Susie E. Stone, of Gardner, Mass.
The fine property which Mr. Washburn owns and his high standing as a citizen are a creditable showing for one who began in business without capital or influence. They indicate the forceful nature of the man to whose determination and energy they are due.
OUIS KLOESS, who resides near Clare- mont, is the owner of a neat ranch of four- teen acres, cultivated to citrus and deciduous G fruits. Upon this place he established his home in 1891, having previously been a manufacturer in his native county of St. Clair, Il1. He gives his attention to the cultivation of his orchard and is actively and successfully identified with the fruit interests of Southern California.
Born January 15, 1856, Mr. Kloess is the son of John and Catherine Kloess, both natives of Germany. His father emigrated to America in 1849 and his mother three years later, both set- tling in St. Clair county. The former, for a period of forty years, engaged in the manufacture of brick and the mining of coal. At the age of seventy years, he is still living in the locality where for so long he was actively engaged in business. His wife died in 1897.
Until he was thirty-two years of age Louis Kloess assisted his father in various business en- terprises. He then formed a partnership with his older brother, John Kloess, under the firm name of Kloess Brothers, and was engaged in the man- ufacture of brick at Belleville, Illinois, until he removed to California in 1891. During his resi- dence in Belleville he was affiliated with the Knights of Honor, and since coming to California he has been connected with the Knights of Pythias at Pomona. In politics he is a Demo- crat. He may be justly regarded as a representa- tive man of the county and a typical horticul- turist, enterprising, honorable and industrious.
The year 1874 found Mr. Washburn in Pasa- dena. He purchased fifteen acres in the Berry & Elliott tract. At first he carried on a grocery, but afterward turned his attention to the develop- ment and sale of real estate, in which he was associated with Charles Watts. His interest in educational matters led him to accept a position on the school board, and he served efficiently for ten years. For four years he was a member of the Pasadena city council. He was one of three who originated, planned and built the San Gabriel Valley Railroad, which proved so helpful to this locality. Other measures of great value have received his aid and financial contributions. He Mr. Kloess married Mary Gintz, who was born in St. Clair county, Ill., and is a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Funck) Gintz, natives of Germany, but for many years residents of Belle- ville, where her father was proprietor of a has never cared for political prominence nor for office, but takes an intelligent interest in such matters and votes the Republican ticket. He is connected with various degrees of Masonry. He has been twice married, his first wife having brewery. She was reared in her native town and
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received a fair education in its schools. Seven of the eight children of Mr. and Mrs. Kloess are now living, namely: Ellenora K., William J., Walter L., Armin J., Roland R., Alfred O. and Helen A. The adult members of the family are identified with the Pomona Presbyterian Church.
G JEORGE VARCOE, who had efficiently served in positions of trust in Los Angeles, is a typical Californian, alert, enterprising, persevering and companionable. The success he has attained is due to his unaided efforts, as he had the misfortune to lose his mother when he was only three years of age, and his father, Henry Varcoe, also died in middle life. The latter was a native of England, who came to America to try his fortune in the new world. After living for a time in Michigan the year 1861 found him in California, where he settled in a mining town in the upper country. Later he en- gaged in the mercantile business. He died in this state in 1883, when forty-nine years of age.
The subject of this sketch was born in Quincy, Mich., in 1857, and was four years of age when the family settled in California. On completing the studies of the public schools he assisted lis father in the mercantile business, and later taught school, at the same time devoting his leisure hours to the study of law and the improvement of his education. In 1882, after ten years of teaching, he was admitted to practice law before the supreme court. In 1881 he married Miss Lou Winn, an estimable lady and a member of the Christian Church.
After having practiced his profession in north- ern California for some years, in 1887 Mr. Varcoe came to Los Angeles, and engaged in the busi- ness of searching records until 1890, when he entered the public service. In politics he has al- ways been an ardent Republican, devoted to the principles of the party. He has served with recognized ability as chief deputy tax collector and chief deputy county clerk. Fraternally he is connected with Pentalpha Lodge No. 202, F. & A. M., Occidental Consistory, A. & A. S. R., has attained the thirty-second degree and belongs to the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Los Angeles Tent No. 2, Knights of the Maccabees.
AMES CLARKE. There are few enter- prises of greater importance to Pasadena than that with which Mr. Clarke is closely connected, and of which he was an organizer. The Pasadena Manufacturing Company is a con- cern that has rapidly forged its way to the front and gained a reputation for its substantial char- acter and the progressive spirit of its officers. In the incorporation of this company Mr. Clarke assisted and of it he has served as a director, be- sides taking an active part in its management as foreman of the plant. In May, 1900, he was ap- pointed a trustee of the State Reform School at Whittier, which very responsible position he is now filling.
Of English birth and ancestry, Mr. Clarke was born in Devonshire November 11, 1850, a son of Thomas and Mary Clarke, of that shire. When a boy he attended the schools near his home and also worked on the home farm. In 1869 he sailed from Liverpool for New York and after a voyage of fourteen days landed in this country. His parents had come here some years before. He joined them in Saratoga county, N. Y., and for a time attended school in Schuylerville. He began to learn the black- smith's trade in the village of Pavilion, N. Y., where he remained for two years. Next he re- turned to Schuylerville, where he found employ- ment at his trade. Going thence to Albany, N. Y., he was employed as foreman for the pack- ing house of R. Wilson & Co. It was in 1881 that he left New York and sought a home on the other side of the Rockies, settling in Pasadena, where he hopes to spend the remainder of his life. Like most of the citizens here, he is interest- ed in the fruit business, Near this city he owns a fine ranch of twenty acres, under cultivation.
Having lived in America for so many years Mr. Clarke has become thoroughly imbued with the American spirit; and, although he is proud to claim as his native land the country on whose empire the sun never sets, he is still prouder to have his citizenship in the United States, tlie land of freedom and of opportunity. Fraternally he is a Mason. He is interested in the progress of Pasadena and for four years served as a mem- ber of the board of trustees. Prior to coming to California he married Miss Emma Proper, of Greenbush, N. Y.
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UGH M. HAMILTON. Not a few of the well-known citizens of Pasadena are those who have occupied responsible positions elsewhere and, after accumulating large hold- ings, have come to this favored spot with the in- tention of passing their remaining years here. Such, in brief, has been the history of Mr. Hamilton, long one of the most honored bankers and business men of Ottawa, Il1. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., being a son of John and Mar- garet Hamilton, natives of the north of Ireland and of Scotch extraction. During the years of boyhood he attended school in Pittsburg. He continued to live there until 1854, when he de- cided to seek his fortune in the great "west," as the Mississippi Valley was then called. Select- ing Ottawa as a good business location, he em- barked for himself in that town, where, as a member of the firm of King & Hamilton, he en- gaged in the manufacture of agricultural imple- ments. This firm was organized in 1859 and continues in business to the present time. Through his foresight, judgment and business intelligence, the company was placed on a sound financial basis and its stock increased in value. The management of that business, however, was not the limit of his energies. His talent as a financier led to his selection as president of the First National Bank of Ottawa, in which capacity he continued for fifteen years. He gave very close attention to building up a sound financial policy for the institution of which he was the head. Through his conservatism the rocks and shoals of speculation were avoided. The funds of the bank were invested wisely and judicious- ly, and the returns were gratifying to officers and stockholders.
After years of commercial activity Mr. Hamil- ton placed his business interests in the hands of others, and in February, 1892, settled perma- nently in Pasadena, where he has since been a director in the First National Bank, and for four years a member of the city council. In politics he is a Republican and always votes the party ticket. He is a member of the First Congrega- tional Church of Pasadena and an active worker in its behalf, contributing generously to its maintenance. During his residence in Ottawa, Il1., in 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss Kate A. White. They became the parents
of six children, but only three of these are 110W living. The daughter is the wife of Lorenzo Leland, an attorney and president of the First National Bank of Ottawa, Ill. The sons are Charles H., of Pasadena, and Frank A., of Cuca- monga, San Bernardino county, this state.
ILLIAM O. MCCLINTOCK, more than any other man in his section of the coun- try, has been identified with the rise and rapid development of the horticultural interests of Lemon. Arriving there in 1892, before any other resident, he was the first to buy land on the old Earl tract, and the first to set out an orange grove.
A native of Pike county, Ill., he was born De- cember 14, 1862, and is a son of John J. Mc- Clintock, now living in Illinois, and Nancy (Cline) McClintock, deceased. His paternal an- cestors were Scotch-Irish, and those on the ma- ternal side were German. He was reared in his native county in Illinois, assisting his father in his farm duties, and taking advantage of the op- portunities afforded in the district schools. At the age of twenty he started for California, where he arrived in December of 1882. He lived for a time in Los Angeles, and was subsequently em- ployed in various capacities on the different ranches in the vicinity, and also around Stock- ton.
In 1886 he leased about three hundred acres of land which constituted a part of the "Lucky Baldwin" estate, and remained there for some time, afterwards leasing a ranch near Covina, on which he remained for several years. In 1892 began his permanent residence in Lemon, Cal., which has been attended by such pronounced success.
Mr. McClintock married Allie Mullendore, a native of Wisconsin, and of this union there are three children, John N., Lawrence O. and Lloyd A. Since the organization of the Lemon school district in 1892, Mr. McClintock has served as a trustee, and is now president of the board of trustees. He is prominent in all that pertains to the advancement of the town of his adoption, and is held in high esteem by his friends, as- sociates and the community at large.
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1 ACKSON GALAWAY, a prominent horti- culturist of the Azusa valley, is a native of Hancock county, Ind., where he was born January 31, 1841. His parents were William and Tabitha (George) Galaway, who came from Kentucky and Virginia respectively. Jackson Galaway lived on his father's farm during his boyhood, and was surrounded by the usual in- fluences incident to a country life. He greatly as- sisted his father in performing his duties, at the same time availing himself of the advantages of the district schools, which, in his neighborhood, were above the average. At the age of eighteen years he began to prepare himself for independ- ence in the future, and learned the trade of car- . penter and joiner, serving three years as an ap- prentice.
Afterward he followed his trade in various capacities, chiefly as journeyman builder and contractor, with headquarters at Fort Worth, Tex. At this time he was very successful and having more work than he could personally at- tend to, was obliged to employ from three to thirty men as assistants. The scene of his efforts was next located in Albuquerque, N. M., where he employed on an average twenty workmen. While in Mexico he varied his occupation, and increased his finances by engaging in the cattle- raising business on the Gila river. His ranch was known as the old Coronado ranch, and was in extent forty miles square, he himself being third part owner and superintendent. The work incident to this large amount of land necessitated the employment of sixteen men.
In 1885 Mr. Galaway went to Los Angeles, Cal., and for a number of years was a builder and contractor. In 1890 he took up his resi- dence on his present ranch which he has come to regard as his permanent home. He married Elsie A. Siddall, of Hancock county, Iowa, and they have two children: Mrs. John E. Siddall; living iu Iowa, and Charles S., at home.
Mr. Galaway's political affiliations are with the Democratic party. He is an active member of the Holiness Church, and has served as an elder in the same for several years. He is a large stockholder in the Azusa Irrigating Com- pany. He has a highly interesting war record. Enlisting in 1864 in Company A, Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry, he was with Sherman's army
of the west, and fought in the battles of Nash- ville and Decatur, and was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea.
Among those who are privileged to know him, Mr. Galaway is recognized as a public-spirited, enterprising citizen, a reliable friend and a man whom it is a pleasure to know.
AMES STANDLEE. Of the many who have added the lustre of their ability and
C usefulness to the development of the re- sources of California, and who live in the mem- ory of an appreciative and grateful people, may be mentioned the name of James Standlee. At the time of his arrival from the east in 1869 the locality which was to be the scene of his future life and work bore not the faintest resemblance to its present opulence and prosperity ; in fact, had it been predicted by a visionary it would have been considered the wandering of an erratic mind.
The Standlee family is of French and Welsh extraction, the earliest members to migrate to America having settled in Virginia during the last century. James Standlee was born in Vir- ginia February 22, 1819, and was a son of Abra- ham Standlee, a native of the south. His family moved to Tennessee when he was quite young, and there he was reared on a farm and studied as occasion offered at the district schools. When nineteen years of age he was taken to Howard county, Ark., where he undertook to learn the blacksmith and wagon-maker's trade, which he subsequently followed until his removal to Cali- fornia.
In 1869, with an ox-team and wagon, he joined a train of emigrants that slowly and labo- riously made their way over the plains, his little family walking or riding as their strength per- mitted. The journey dragged itself over six weary months, and the faithful band were filled with delight when the journey was completed. They halted at El Monte, and the Standlee con- tingent at once went to the place near Downey where James Standlee lived for the remainder of his useful life. In addition to his interest in hor- ticulture he had time and inclination to devote to the interests of the various institutions erected for the improvement of his locality, and one of
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liis ambitions was to perfect the water develop- ment of the district.
Mr. Standlee married Sarah M. Briscoe, a na- tive of Alabama. Of this union six children were born who are living: David W., Daniel W., Joel W., Emily (who is the wife of L. D. Tweedy), Oliver and Edward J. Mrs. Standlee died in 1894. In political faith Mr. Standlee was a Democrat, but never had political aspirations. Fraternally he was associated with the Masonic order. He had a strong and rugged personality and forcefully impressed his influence and opin- ions upon the community in which he dwelt. He died September 27, 1900.
Edward J., one of the sons of James Standlee, is a native of Howard county, Ark., where he was born July 1, 1861. With his parents and family he crossed the plains for California, where he has since lived. He was twice married, his first wife being Sarah A. Shirley, and of this union there were five children: Claude E., Emily M., Elbert C., Elmer F. and Lela. Mr. Standlee's present wife was Gussie Gentry, who is the mother of two children, Gladys and Mar- guerite. Mr. Standlee served as a member of the board of trustees of the Gallatin school dis- trict for six years, elected to the office by his constituents in the Democratic party. He is also a member of the Masonic order and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows at Downey. In religious faith he is affiliated with the Baptist Church.
David W. Standlee, the eldest brother of Ed- ward J., is a member of the Democratic party, and fraternally is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
LIVER STANDLEE. The first impression of his future home in the vicinity of Dow- ney was gained through the wonder of childish eyes, for Oliver Standlee was but eleven years old when his father moved his little family over the plains in search of a home and prosper- ous living. At this early day the possibilities of California were but vaguely defined, and the work of developing her resources meant incessant toil for the settlers who cast their lot within her borders. Young Oliver learned from his father the best way to conduct a farm, and early evinced
a liking for agricultural pursuits. In the district schools he acquired a fair education, and in dif- ferent ways had occasion to become proficient from a business standpoint.
A native of Howard county, Ark., Oliver Standlee was born in 1858. His father, James Standlee, receives more extended mention in an- other part of this work. He was an industrious and enterprising agriculturist during his resi- dence in the east, and became identified with the best interests of his adopted home in the west. At the present time Oliver Standlee is the pos- sessor of a highly improved ranch of thirty acres near Downey, where he raises walnuts and oranges. He is public spirited and is a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association. He married Rhoda Ragsdale, a daughter of Rix Ragsdale, a native of Texas, and at present residing with his daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Standlee have been born three children: Effie L., Ollie P. and Flora J.
In national politics Mr. Standlee is a Demo- crat and interested in all the undertakings of his party. He has no political aspirations. Himself and family are active members of the Baptist Church at Rivera. Fraternally he is associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Downey. As one of the oldest pioneers of the county he is naturally affiliated with the Pioneer Association. At present he is serving his sec- ond term as trustee of the Gallatin school district.
R. HIRAM M. BATEMAN, a well-known horticulturist of Pomona, who has been a resident of this city since 1893, was born in Orleans county, N. Y., September 21, 1829. His father, Dr. Stephen Bateman, was a native of Vermont, and his mother (née Lydia Shafer) was born in Genesee county, N. Y. The former practiced his profession at Lyndonville, N. Y., and at Rockford and Aurora, Il1., dying at the city last named. His father, also Stephen Bate- man, was of English ancestry and served in the war of 1812.
When he wassixteen years of age Hiram Bate- man removed with the family to Rockford, Ill., and continued his education at the seminary in that city. Four years later he commenced the study of medicine with his father, whom he sub-
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HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sequently assisted in his professional work botlı at Rockford and Aurora. Afterward, for many years, he was identified with the hotel business of Alton and Bloomington, Ill., being thus en- gaged in the latter city for a decade.
As stated, the doctor settled in Pomona in 1893. He is now the owner of a fine tract of ten acres, chiefly grown to oranges. He was formerly a director in the Pomona Fruit Ex- change, now known as the Pomona Fruit Grow- ers' Exchange, and is still a member of that or- ganization.
The wife of Dr. Bateman was formerly Miss Mary Warner and is a native of Ohio. Their family of six children consists of Frank M., Charles W., and George G., all of whom are resi- dents of Illinois; Ida M., the wife of Charles Barry, of Evanston, Ill .; Catherine living at home; and Fannie, wife of John Bowles, of Al- ton, Il1.
M ILTON J. BROOKS. Although compara- tively a new comer to the Los Nietos re- gion, having settled here in 1897, Mr. Brooks has become thoroughly identified with the spirit and undertakings of the locality, and has established himself as one of its respected and necessary citizens.
Previous to coming to California in 1884, Mr. Brooks led an uneventful life in the main. He was born in Maury county, Tenn., July 31, 1859, and is a son of John S. and Lucy A. (Jordan) Brooks, natives respectively of Tennessee and Virginia. His maternal grandfather, John F. Jordan, was a prominent agriculturist, and a valiant soldier in the war of 1812. Milton Brooks was reared on his father's farm in his na- tive county and educated in the district schools. He early showed an aptitude for agricultural pur- suits, and diligently assisted his father in his duties around the farm. In 1880 he went to Lamar county, Tex., and while there was occu- pied for several years with various pursuits. In 1884 he came to Southern California, and was for several years employed by A. H. Dunlap, who lived in the vicinity of Whittier, and sub- sequently leased land in the neighborhood and engaged in general farming and walnut growing.
In keeping with his interest in all that pertains to the advancement of his locality, Mr. Brooks
takes a vital interest in the institutions that are the outgrowth of the special requirements inci- dent to the peculiar conditions of the soil and climate. He is at present serving as president of the Los Nietos Irrigating Company, and as such has given general satisfaction. He is a member of the Los Nietos school district and was elected for a term of three years. He is also a member of the Los Nietos and Ranchito Walnut Growers' Association, incorporated, and of the Los Nietos Pioneer Club. In politics he is a Democrat, but entertains liberal views regarding the politics of the administration.
Mr. Brooks was married to Laura Downing, a native of Iowa, and to this couple has been born one daughter, Lanra Edna. His ranch consists of twenty-three acres, mostly under walnuts, and is under a high state of cultivation.
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